How to remove ‘Other’ files from iPhone and iPad

Is your iPad’s storage constantly reaching its limit?

If you’ve struggled with the ‘Other’ category taking up a substantial amount of your storage space, don’t fret.

This guide will walk you through how to get rid of iPadOS storage, specifically focusing on this elusive ‘Other’ category.

Understanding ‘Other’ Storage

Before diving into the solutions, it’s essential to understand what ‘Other’ storage is. Essentially, ‘Other’ is a category that your iPad utilizes for data that doesn’t fit into the standard categories like Photos, Apps, or Media.

It includes cached files which are not in active use but might be needed by apps in the future. These files are categorized under ‘iPhone Storage Other’ and ‘iPad Storage Other’.

Checking Your iPad’s / iPhone Storage Usage

To address the storage issue effectively, first, you need to get an overview of your device’s storage utilization. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad / iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Select iPad Storage or iPhone Storage.

Here, you’ll see a breakdown of your storage usage, including apps, messages, media, and the ‘Other’ category.

Strategies to Free Up Storage

Now that you know where your storage is going, here are some strategies to clear up space:

Offloading Unused Apps

One simple way to free up space is to offload unused apps. When you offload an app, the app itself is deleted but its data remains, allowing you to reinstall the app without losing your data. Here’s how to do it:

1. In the iPad Storage / iPhone Storage screen, locate the Offload Unused Apps section and tap Enable.

Deleting Large Attachments

You can clear up storage space by reviewing and deleting large attachments. Here’s how:

1. In the iPad Storage / iPhone Storage screen, tap Review Large Attachments.
2. Select the attachment you want to delete and then tap the trash can icon.

Offloading Specific Apps

You can also offload specific apps that are eating up your storage space:

1. On the iPad Storage / iPhone Storage screen, choose an app that you don’t need and tap on it.
2. You can choose to Offload this specific app or delete it.

Clearing Safari Cache

Another way to free up storage space is by clearing Website Data and Offline Reading List from Safari:

1. On the iPad Storage / iPhone Storage screen, tap Safari.
2. Tap Website Data then Remove All Website Data.
3. Swipe left on the Offline Reading List and select Delete.

Other Strategies

You can also purge unneeded content like old iMessages and Mail data, Safari caches, and Reading List. Additionally, you can restore your device and set it up as new, making sure to back up essential information to iCloud before you delete everything.

Remember that no device can have its storage completely freed up. iPadOS & iPhone OS requires a certain amount of space to operate effectively. However, with the above strategies, you can significantly reduce the ‘Other’ storage and free up space for more important files and applications.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to get rid of iPadOS storage and iPhone OS Storage, specifically the ‘Other’ category, can significantly improve your device’s performance. It’s a trial-and-error process, but with patience and the right strategies, you can make the most out of your device’s storage.

Remember, managing your iPad’s storage / iPhone Storage is an ongoing task. Regularly review your storage usage and clear up space as necessary. With these strategies at hand, you’re well-equipped to keep your iPad running smoothly.

Happy optimizing!